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Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) |
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The Issue
For most
Canadians, the risk of getting avian influenza (bird flu) is
extremely low. However, it is important to know how to minimize
your risks, especially if you are traveling to an area affected by
avian flu.
Background
Avian
influenza is a viral infection that can spread easily and quickly
among birds. There are at least 15 types of avian flu. They are
all caused by various strains of type A influenza virus.
Birds
spread avian flu virus to one another through secretions and
droppings. Some species of wild birds, such as ducks, can carry
the virus and infect other birds without getting sick themselves.
Other bird species, including domestic poultry (e.g., chickens and
turkeys), are more likely to become severely ill and die when
infected.
Health
officials around the world are keeping a close watch on a serious
outbreak of avian flu that spread throughout a number of Asian
countries in 2004. The outbreak was caused by a strain of avian
influenza virus called H5N1, and it has affected millions of
chickens and other birds. There have also been a small number of
human cases of avian flu, and some of the people infected with
H5N1 have died.
How Avian Flu Spreads from Birds to People
It is
important not to confuse human cases of
avian influenza with cases of human
influenza. Human influenza ("the flu") is a common respiratory
disease that spreads easily and rapidly from person to person.
Although different strains of avian flu virus circulate year-round
among birds, the virus does not usually spread to people.
In rare
instances, however, people do contract avian flu. The exact mode
of transmission from birds to people is not known, but most human
cases of avian flu have been traced to direct contact with live
infected birds or their droppings. The scientific evidence to date
shows that avian flu virus does not spread easily or rapidly from
one person to another.
The Human Health Effects of Avian Flu
Although
human cases of avian flu are rare, people who become infected with
the H5N1 virus can become seriously ill and may die. The symptoms
can resemble those of human influenza, including fever, cough,
aching muscles and a sore throat. The human health effects of
avian flu can also include eye infections and serious respiratory
infections, including pneumonia.
At this
time, there is no vaccine to provide people with specific
protection against avian flu. Studies suggest that certain
anti-viral drugs designed to fight human influenza may also help
prevent serious illness in people who become infected with the
avian flu virus.
Concerns about a Possible Influenza Pandemic related to Avian Flu
As noted
earlier, the avian flu virus does not spread easily or rapidly
among humans. However, flu viruses have the capacity to mingle
with one another and morph into a new strain. This is one of the
reasons that health officials keep such a close watch on outbreaks
of avian flu. If someone with human influenza also becomes
infected with avian influenza, there is a
chance that the viruses could mingle and turn into a new
virus that spreads easily from person to person. This
could lead to a worldwide epidemic
(or pandemic) of influenza. No one would have immunity to the new
virus, and it would take four to six months to develop a new
vaccine.
The World
Health Organization (WHO) has alerted countries about the need to
intensify surveillance and implement control measures to contain
outbreaks of avian flu. A standard control measure is to kill
flocks of poultry that are infected or may have been exposed to
avian flu. As a precautionary measure, the WHO has selected H5N1
prototype strains for influenza H5N1 pandemic vaccine development.
Vaccine manufacturers and researchers are doing the foundation
work that is necessary to develop a pandemic vaccine, but an
actual vaccine against a pandemic cannot be manufactured until the
virus has emerged. The WHO and has encouraged vaccine
manufacturers around the world to work with vaccine seed strains
from pandemic-like influenza viruses, such as H5N1.
Minimizing Your Risks
Keep things
in perspective. For most Canadians, the risk of avian flu is
extremely low. The risk of health effects from
human influenza is far greater. The
best way to protect yourself and others from influenza is to:
-
Get a flu
shot.
-
Wash your
hands regularly and with thorough use of soap and warm water.
-
Stay home
if you are sick.
For more
information on minimizing you risks, see the avian flu travel
advisory on the Public Health Agency of Canada website in the
Need More Info section below.
It is
perfectly safe to eat poultry in Canada. The Canadian Food
Inspection Agency has import restrictions in place on poultry and
non-processed poultry products from any of the countries affected
by avian flu.
The Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada's Role
The Public
Health Agency of Canada continues to monitor the domestic and
global flu situation, and also coordinates national activities on
the prevention and control of flu. Since the SARS outbreak in
March 2003, the Public Health Agency of Canada has worked with
many partners, including provincial and territorial health
officials as well as national and international experts, to
strengthen its capacity to respond to future outbreaks of
infectious diseases. For example, PHAC has developed a new and
comprehensive pandemic preparedness plan, which sets out standards
and guidelines for such matters as local response, priority access
to anti-viral drugs and the rapid production of new vaccine to
protect Canadians.
Health
Canada regulates vaccines in Canada through a rigorous licensing
process. This includes an extensive pre-market review of
information about a vaccine's safety and effectiveness, and a lot
release program which provides an additional check on biologic
drugs to help assure their safety for human use. Within this role
as a regulator, Health Canada plays an integral part in the
Pandemic Vaccine Program, which aims to provide a safe and
effective vaccine to all Canadians, as soon as possible, in the
event of a pandemic outbreak. In addition, Health Canada continues
to contribute to national pandemic preparedness by working with
international players, other regulatory agencies, and vaccine
manufacturers.
Need More Info?
For more
information contact:
The Public
Health Agency of Canada's
Immunization and Respiratory Infections Division
You can
also find detailed information about avian flu on the following
Web sites:
The Public
Health Agency of Canada's
Flu Watch
Avian flu travel advisory on the Public Health Agency of
Canada Web site
The Public
Health Agency of Canada's
Travel Medicine Program
The Public
Health Agency of Canada's
Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency
The World Health Organization (WHO)
The
It's Your Health article on
Flu
For
additional articles on health and safety issues go to the
It's Your Health Web site. You
can also call toll free at 1-866-225-0709 or TTY at
1-800-267-1245*
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Source: Health Canada |
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